Yayoi Kusama, a globally acclaimed avant-garde artist known for her signature polka dots, pumpkins, and Infinity Mirror Rooms, died in Tokyo at age 97. She created art for over 60 years, becoming one of the most famous and commercially successful contemporary artists worldwide.
The contemporary art world mourned the passing of "Yayoi Kusama," the legendary avant-garde artist nicknamed the "Queen of Polka Dots," who transformed her inner conflicts and psychiatric symptoms into treasured artworks beloved worldwide. She died peacefully from multiple organ failure at a Tokyo hospital.
An artist support foundation announced last Thursday that Yayoi Kusama passed away peacefully on 14 August 2024 at age 97, closing a more than 60-year artistic journey. She was among the most successful artists both in fame and commercial value. Her auctioned works fetched millions of U.S. dollars, while exhibitions like the "Infinity Mirror Rooms" attracted massive audiences and became social media phenomena globally.
Born in 1929 in Nagano Prefecture, Japan, into a wealthy yet conflicted family, Kusama began experiencing hallucinations and recurring visions at age 10, such as seeing floral and polka dot patterns spreading across rooms and her body. She used painting to express and heal her fears, developing the concept of "Self-Obliteration"—covering objects with dots to dissolve her sense of self into her art.
After studying traditional Japanese painting in Kyoto, Kusama moved to the United States in 1957 to escape conventional values at home. She endured severe poverty in New York before emerging as a leading avant-garde artist in the 1960s through installation art, fashion innovation, and Vietnam War protests.
Kusama returned to Japan in 1973, feeling burned out and facing mental health issues. She voluntarily admitted herself to a psychiatric hospital in Tokyo, where she lived while continuously creating art until her later years. Her distinctive style included bright wigs, polka dot clothing, and her iconic polka-dotted pumpkins, which she regarded as lifelong companions.
Throughout her career, Kusama received numerous honors, including the Order of the Rising Sun from the Japanese government in 2006, and was recognized by TIME magazine in 2016 as one of the 100 most influential people worldwide.
In 2017, Kusama expressed her final wish: "After I die, I hope the bright future, the beauty of human love, and my spirit will be passed on. Please continue to love my art, even when I am no longer here."